Criteria E - Evaluate

Criteria E – Evaluate
The assignment in IT was to create some technology that could improve the lives of people living in the ger districts. I chose to re-design a new outhouse. My final creation was a model of an outhouse.
We started with Cr.A – Investigate. This was the research stage. We actually went to the Bayanzurkh ger district. We took photos for a Virtual Tour. We also used these as our research. We began digging a hole for an outhouse, and holes for fence posts. We also had a few people who talked to us, and taught us about life in the ger districts. I wrote up all the information an decided what I wanted to do. I also had to create design specifications. Investigation is always the hardest part for me. I always forget an important part and this lowers my grade. But this time, I think I did well. I think a few more pictures would have been useful, but I made do with what I had.
For Cr.B – Design, I was a bit behind because of ACAMIS. I caught up fast enough. The problem for me was that I felt that I already knew what I wanted the outhouse to look like. My original idea had come from an outhouse which I had actually seen in Mongolia. I made three drawings, but each was only slightly different. When it came to choosing what I was going to create my model of, it was difficult. Each design had something to offer which I liked. Sometimes it didn’t always fit my design specifications or it wasn’t necessary. I always had to keep the price in mind. This was the most important specification. I think I could have probably created more designs, and more varied ones. I was a bit limited with my final creation, but I knew what I wanted to do so that worked out all right.
Cr.C – Plan is quite simple for me. I created a plan and then handed it in. Then the materials didn’t arrive, and I was already behind in my plan. All my changes were within a week. I started building a week later than I was supposed to. Other than that it went well. It actually helps making a plan. You know what you have to do and when you are going to do it.
I think Cr.D – Create takes the most effort. If you want to create a good final product then you have to work hard. I had chosen to do a model. I had wanted to get materials from the school, but there weren’t any. So, I had to create my outhouse using toothpicks. It was a lot of work! I used so many toothpicks and so much glue and tape. I was making the building steps as I went a long. I did not have a plan. It took quite a long time and effort to make the model. More than I thought it would. Now, I am forever sick of toothpicks. And I don’t think I would make a model again. I well designed and detailed poster is good too.
I also had to test my final creation. In my case it was a model. I tested my model by creating a survey that I had a few people fill out. It was only six questions which revolved around my design specifications. I think I could have either made the survey a bit better with more details. Because it was lacking details and information people gave me the wrong answers. In my eyes I think my model for an outhouse would create a good outhouse, but this is because I know exactly what it is all about. I know how it all works. For people taking the survey, they do not. Some asked questions which I could easily answer, but the fact that they asked questions isn’t so good. All in all, the result could have been better. My outhouse did not really pass my survey, but that may have a different reason other than the fact that my outhouse is bad.
In the end, I think I have a good idea, but that I would need to develop it more so that it can realistically be successful in the ger districts.

Cr. D - Create

Cr.D - Create

It took me four days to complete my model outhouse. To create my final product, I used tape, glue and a whole lot of tooth picks. The first step to creating my model outhouse was making the walls.
I did this first because I wasn't really sure if the whole toothpick idea would work and if I messed up, that would be okay. I built the walls in about an hour. I lined up the toothpicks horizontally, put glue on, waited till the glue dried and then put duct tape on top of the glue. For extra support I put two toothpicks vertically on top of the tape. The first step was done, and I hadn't had to re-do anything.
Step 2 I created the roof and the 'support beams' for the outhouse. This took longer than I thought it would. The roof was quite simple. It was made like the walls, but without the two vertical toothpicks. I also put aluminum foul on it, because it was supposed to be a tin roof. Building the 'beams' was difficult. I had to glue together about twelve toothpicks in a bunch. I needed twelve bunches. Three bunches created one beam when they were stacked together on top of each other. This took way too much time for my liking.
The third step was building the floor. This wasn't too difficult, but it took time. It was built like the walls, but with a hole in the middle. I had been hesitant with building the floor, because I wasn't sure how I was going to do it. But it turned out all right. I was also supposed to build stairs, a bucket and a door, but I didn't. That's why for my last step, I did a lot.
My last step was to finish the model. I built stairs, a door, the bucket and I put the whole thing together. First I put it together. This was a bit difficult. The floor was a little too wide, so I had to cut it a bit. Because of the beams and the way the walls were put together, there was a space at the back and at the front. I couldn't really change that. Then I realized I didn't have a door, and that my wall didn't have a space for a door. I ended up cutting the door out of the wall and then taping it back in. The stairs and bucket I made out of paper. This worked well, and I didn't know what else I was going to make it out of. My model outhouse was done!
In general I think the whole building went quite well. once in a while I forgot to take some important pictures, but that's okay. The most annoying part was the huge mess. Toothpicks and superglue were everywhere. The only problem was the door, but that was solved easily. It went well, but sometimes I felt like it was pointless.
If I were ever to do this again... I wouldn't make a model! If I think about it, I would make sure I have it planned out a bit better. Knowing where the door is supposed to go and how it's going to go there is important. I learned that making a model is a lot of work!

Cr. C - Plan

Criteria B - Final Design

All images (c)Reeza

Criteria B - Final Design

For my project, I have chosen to build a toilet. My final toilet design is and outhouse on stilts. The fours walls of the outhouse are closed, with a tin/scrap metal roof. The structure is built mostly from wood. If you are looking at the door of the outhouse,three steps lead up to the door. On the two sides of the outhouse, wood planks go all the way to the ground, creating a wall. This is for stability and hiding the waste barrel. My final design:
Looks good. It is neat and not falling apart.
Is stable.
Is not too expensive if you use scrap metal and wood or a mix of new and old materials.
It is efficient. You can easily remove the waste barrel and the door will not sag of it's hinges.
It is also realistic. It is possible to create.

I chose the toilet too create, because it is not too expensive and it still looks decent. It is efficient, you can remove the waste barrel easily and opening the door is no problem. The inside is simple, but it works. A whole in the floor, but not two planks just ripped out. The whole structure is stable too.